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The same POPS brass percussion ensemble, conducted by Music Director Michael Krajewski, that performed at Pope Francis’ speech at Independence Hall last year returns to play Aaron Copland’s Fanfare for the Common Man during the city’s new Celebration of Freedom ceremony and parade on Independence Mall at 10am. Notable guests include Mayor Jim Kenney and 2016 Tony-winner Leslie Odom Jr., the East Oak Lane native who plays the role of Aaron Burr in the eleven-time Tony-winning 2016 Best Musical Hamilton on Broadway. Odom attended Masterman and High School for Creative and Performing Arts. He sang solos in the Canaan Baptist Church choir in Germantown as a child.

A patriotic parade, kicked off by the POPS ensemble and routing from Independence Mall to Penn’s Landing, follows the presentation at 11am. NBC will televise this event.